Intense stomach pain PLEASE HELP

[Rose559]

My fiancé has been ill for as long as we remember, probably the last 5-6 years. He has had so many tests and they cannot find a cause, we have another doctor’s appointment today and I was wondering if anyone had experienced similar and if there’s anything specific to ask for. He can’t go on like this much longer, it’s obviously getting to him and affecting us as a couple/family too because he’s snappy and angry because he’s in pain.

He has intense pain in his stomach constantly, he cannot have any weight put on his stomach and he’s in excruciating pain, he feels sick from the moment he wakes up in the morning, he’s gassy/bloated, has a really low immune system and catches everything so constantly has coughs/colds.

He’s had gullbladder scans, camera into his stomach, various blood tests (although not testing for anything specifically). Toilet habits are completely normal so they haven’t tested anything related to bowels.

He had appendicitis a year ago and had his appendix out and ended up with blood clots on both lungs a year ago. Hasn’t really recovered from that.

I’m hoping there’s someone that’s experienced similar, just an idea of what to ask for as the doctors today? I’m going with him just to help advocate as he feels he’s not being taken seriously.

does he work?

He needs an abdo pelvic CT and a colonoscopy if it’s abdominal related I’d say but I’m not medical and there’s not much information in your post.

Has he been tested for coeliac ?

Has he had any tests for reflux/GERD ?

Also get him tested for SIBO - NHS are unlikely to do this though so will have to be private.

When all tests are done try low fodmap diet to see if that helps for 6 weeks.

I would get a private follow up.

Coeliacs test I would be asking for and a FIT test just for reassurance. What's his diet like? Has he lost weight?

Yes he does.

Thank you. Both of these haven’t been done.

He had a stomach ulcer, gullbladder polyps, hiatus hernia, stomach infection, severe reflux, appendicitis and blood clots. He’s had endoscopy and one blood test to check for the stomach infection, then ultrasound on gullbladder and CT scan on lungs and that’s as far as we’ve got.

He’s 37, male, white, 75kg, 6 foot 1 if any of that helps!

Appreciate your answer!

how does he manage given what you describe?
Is he able to parent or support you at all for the last five years?

He hasn’t, this is on our list for today. He has severe reflux but had a test where he has a tube into his stomach for 24 hours and that didn’t find much.

Thank you! Will try this.

Thank you. On the list. Diet isn’t awful but could be better. I cook from scratch for the meals he eats with me but he eats things like pot noodles, pasties etc for lunches at work and I’d say a fair bit of processed meat and white carbs. He tried fasting for 48 hours this Sunday and Monday but didn’t make any difference.

He’s 6 foot 1 and 72-75kg. He has lost weight and muscle.

Is he hypermobile? Does he have stretch marks?

Also here to say re coeliac. My dh was disgnosed age 40, had lost weight and was just starting to have loo related issues (pale stool, stomach pain, and just starting to get up to “go” in the night).

worth also considering dairy intolerance.

Hope you soon get some answers.

Unfortunately it’s not something we have the budget for at the moment but will have to figure something out if today’s appointment draws a blank. Even if we have to take a loan or something. Thank you.

Has he been given any medication for reflux? Been tested for H Pylori?
I have had H Pylori and was nearly demented with the pain.

Sorry, just seen he has severe reflux. What meds is he on for that?

No wonder he's feeling constantly ill. That's a lot to contend with. As a GORD sufferer myself it can affect you in many ways. Is he on meds or watching what he eats at all? GORD can lead to silent reflux which is really respiratory reflux and give you what looks like cold/cough symptoms as well.
If he's had an endoscopy they probably tested for ceoliac as it's the gold standard test. If not, he needs one.
I recently tested for Sibo (privately) and was negative - but all these things need ruling out.
Has he had manometry (sounds like he had ph study if he had tube in for 24 hours).

He struggles. This is written today because the kids came into our bed in the morning and one of them pressed on his stomach (not hard at all) causing him to have severe pain and then he’s grumpy immediately, understandably. He wants to do more and he does but struggles with it and ends up grumpy and snappy. I have post natal depression and struggling myself so it’s all becoming a lot for us.

Good point re H pylori. Had a couple of friends with this recently and the stomach pain was insane.

another indicator of coeliac is “floaty poo”.

Not that I know of. No stretch marks.

Thank you. Appreciate your input!

Was given anti acid tablets but doesn’t take them as don’t make anything better and want to take medication long term with all his stomach issues.

Sorry also yes he had H. Pylori and had antibiotics for it. Doesn’t feel any different.

If he has “severe reflux” then why on earth does he not take the tablets prescribed for it?